Oklahoma State's Bryant Will Enter NFL Draft

Sports News - November 6th, 2009 - Written by John

With every outlet expended, and hope quickly fading of playing in the NCAA anytime in the near future, former Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant has chosen to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Bryant was barred from college football earlier this season for misleading NCAA investigators in their query about his relationship with NFL personality Deion Sanders, and was ruled ineligible until next September, which would make him a senior. Instead, he will turn pro and avoid as much off-time from football as possible.

"I feel this is the best decision for me," Bryant said. "It's what God wants me to do. I'm going to start my training Tuesday in Tampa."

Bryant was a consensus preseason First-Team All-American this year after a sophomore campaign in which he had 1,480 receiving yards and led the nation with 19 touchdowns. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the top receiver.

He was well on his way to repeating, with 323 yards and four TDs through three games. But he was initially ruled out of Oklahoma State's September 26th meeting against Grambling State and hasn't been on the field since.

He tried to fight back, arguing that the punishment was far too severe for the crime. He appealed multiple times, pleading his case to be allowed to finish the season in which the Cowboys had real conference title aspirations. But he was denied each time, the most recent coming Thursday.

"This year didn't go the way I wanted it to," Bryant said. "It was so hard. And to be honest I had my head down at times. But the NCAA has made their decision. And I respect that. And now I've made mine."

He is projected to be the first receiver taken in the Draft, regardless of the ruling, although it could certainly hurt his stock, if just by the smallest count. Several players have missed time in college before the draft, only to flop in the NFL. The most recent being former USC star Mike Williams, who sat out a full year before being selected in the first round. He was spotty in his rookies season and didn't get much better. He was later dealt to the Oakland Raiders in a failed bid to restart his career.

But this is a far different scenario, and Bryant said he only wants to get back on the field.

"I love the game," Bryant said. "I have a passion for the game. Football is what I do. And any NFL team that I play for is going to get great effort."

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